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1 1 (August 10, 2021)

handle is hein.crs/goveeho0001 and id is 1 raw text is: Lebanon Lebanon, a country of 5.5 million people, faces the worst economic crisis in its history amid ongoing political unrest, the spread of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19), and an August 2020 explosion that severely damaged the port of Beirut and surrounding densely populated areas. Lebanon hosts the largest number of refugees in the world per capita (over 1 million, mostly Syrians), which has raised social tensions and strained public services. U.S. policy has focused on countering the influence of Iran and Hezbollah and on bolstering the Lebanese state while calling for reforms to counter corruption and mismanagement. Lebanon's leaders have warned that the country's economic crisis could lead to a collapse of state institutions. Government Lebanon's confessional political system divides power among its three largest religious communities (Maronite Christian, Sunni, Shi'a), to which it allocates the posts of president, prime minister, and parliamentary speaker, respectively. Lebanese President Michel Aoun was elected in 2016 by Lebanon's parliament for a six-year term. Aoun is affiliated with the Free Patriotic Movement (Christian), which along with Hezbollah and the Amal Movement (both Shi'a) comprise the major components of the March 8 political bloc. Parliamentary elections in 2018 gave the bloc, which advocates close ties with Iran and Syria, a simple majority (68 out of 128 seats). The United States has maintained ties with March 8's political rival, known as the March 14 bloc, which includes the Future Movement (Sunni), the Lebanese Forces, and Kataeb (both Christian). Political Instability In October 2019, a nationwide protest movement prompted the resignation of then-Prime Minister Saad Hariri. A subsequent government led by Hassan Diab resigned after eight months, following the Beirut port explosion. Prime Minister-designate Mustapha Adib resigned a month after his appointment. In October 2020, President Aoun re- nominated Saad Hariri as prime minister designate. Hariri resigned in July 2021, after he and Aoun were unable to agree on the composition of a new cabinet. Mikati Named New Prime Minister-Designate In July 2021, Aoun appointed Najib Mikati as prime minister-designate. Talks between Mikati and Aoun over cabinet formation have focused on the allocation of sovereign ministries (Defense, Foreign Affairs, Interior, and Finance), which are divided among Lebanon's largest sectarian groups. Aoun reportedly has called for a Christian to be appointed Interior Minister, a portfolio currently held by a Sunni and whose mandate includes the administration of elections (scheduled for 2022). Mikati reportedly has indicated that, because Shi'a parties have retained the Finance Ministry as a condition of government formation, the sovereign ministries will not be rotated. Foreign Affairs and Defense currently are held by a Christian. Updated August 10, 2021 Figure I. Lebanon touooones ae ot ecessamyow oomace. mc ucoec atems ecotaca the Gco Heigthts ci part of ksraef e nt 21192 P ecarity Ccenccf Rerofution 447adopted cc Xecemter 1At981 held that the ateeof the Golao Heiqhtr coottroted by lii aers imhltary fi occopied teottory helonpig to syrha. Source: Created by CRS using ESRI and Google Maps. Beirut Port Explosion and Investigation On August 4, 2020, a massive explosion at the port of Beirut killed over 190 people and injured and displaced thousands. Lebanese officials linked the explosion to 2,750 tons of ammonium nitrate that had been confiscated from a disabled cargo ship in 2014 and stored in a warehouse at the port. An FBI investigation reportedly estimated that the explosion was caused by roughly 552 tons of ammonium nitrate; adding to concerns that some of the cargo-used in fertilizers and explosives-may have gone missing prior to the explosion. Many Lebanese blamed the blast on government negligence and mismanagement. Reports have highlighted pervasive corruption and smuggling at the port, reportedly linked to all of Lebanon's major political parties. Authorities named a military judge to lead the investigation into the cause of the blast; in February 2021 he was replaced after two former ministers charged in the case requested that the case be transferred to another judge. New investigative judge Tarek Bitar has not been able to question senior Lebanese officials, who retain immunity. Hezbolah Hezbollah, a U.S.-designated Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO), operates in Lebanon as a militia force, a political party, and a provider of social services. It is closely linked to Iran, which provides it with significant funding and has used it as a proxy or allied force to threaten Israel. While Israel withdrew in 2000 from areas of southern Lebanon it had occupied since 1982, Hezbollah has used the remaining Israeli presence in disputed areas in the Lebanon-Syria-Israel triborder region to justify its ongoing conflict with Israel and its continued existence as ittps://crsreports.congress.gov

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